I woke up the next morning not to an alarm, but to a golden stripe of sunlight stubbornly slicing through the crack in the heavy velvet curtains.
Ugh. Even sleep wasn't enough to make me feel ready for a second day of this royal nightmare. It felt like I'd been hit by a truck, a very fancy truck.
I stretched in the massive bed, trying to mentally prepare myself. Three more days. Three more days of this intense, suffocating charade, trying to pass for someone I wasn't, under the gaze of people who probably had nothing better to do than judge the way I breathed. It was exhausting just thinking about it.
Just get through the meals, Sierra. Just smile and nod. Don't make eye contact with the Prince. Definitely don't run away barefoot this time.
A gentle knock brought me back to reality. "Come in," my voice still rough with sleep.
The two maids assigned to me entered silently. The older one glided over to the window and pulled the heavy drapes completely open. The Bright morning light instantly flooded the room, making me squint.
"Good morning, my lady. We trust you rested well," the younger one stated, her tone sounded perfectly modulated.
"I did, thank you."
The next hour was a blur of high-level operation 'Get Sierra Ready.' I felt like a doll being dressed by experts. One maid was prepping the water for the basin while the other was laying out a fresh, gorgeous gown. It looked deceptively simple, but I knew the fabric alone probably cost more than my old rent.
As they helped me get dressed, pinning my hair into a style that looked elegant yet casual, I tried to zone out. This is so weird. I somehow missed just pulling on jeans and a hoodie, brushing my own hair in two minutes, and grabbing a coffee on the way out the door. Now, I had two people whose entire job was ensuring I didn't have a single crease or misplaced strand of hair. The pressure was intense, even if they were being super professional.
We had breakfast in a smaller dining hall—you know, the 'small and cozy' one that still had like twenty chairs. The Duke sat at the head of the table, and Soleil was already in full performance mode, narrating the previous night's ball.
She carefully controlled the narrative, skipping over any uncomfortable details involving Elios.
"Papa, I really enjoyed last night!" Soleil exclaimed. "The flowers, the garlands of jasmine and roses, were simply divine. They stretched from floor to ceiling! And the music! Oh, the orchestra played so beautifully, such lively waltzes and elegant gavottes. Everyone was in such high spirits." She leaned forward slightly with her eyes wide and sparkling. She was basically a human animated film.
Father chuckled. "It sounds as though His Highness spared no expense. A fitting display for the first grand ball of the season."
"Indeed! And so many distinguished guests," Soleil continued while expertly buttering up her toast. "Lady Beatrice wore a rather... unfortunate shade of yellow, but Lord Miller was quite attentive, always ensuring my glass was full. And the Crown Prince, of course, was the very picture of graciousness. He danced with me for the first waltz, and again for a quadrille! Everyone was quite impressed, Papa."
She was really good at this, expertly spinning a tale of social success while conveniently leaving out the messy details of her secret time with Elios.
Father's smile got even bigger. "That is excellent news, my dear. I always knew you would charm the entire court. Your mother would have been so proud."
Soleil's expression softened at the mention of the late-Duchess. "I hope so, Papa. I truly do. I endeavor only to bring honor to our house, and to you." She clasped her hands elegantly on the table while her gaze unwavering.
The room suddenly fell silent when the Crown Prince entered the hall. He walked in with that effortless confidence. He was wearing this muted blue tunic that really made his green eyes pop. He greeted my father first, then Soleil. As he glanced around the table, his eyes did a quick pit stop at mine.
"Your Highness," my father began when the Crown prince finally settled into his seat. "We were just discussing the magnificent ball. The arrangements were impeccable."
"Indeed, Papa," Soleil chimed in with her melodious voice. "I daresay it was the most enchanting ball of the season. The music was divine, and the decorations simply breathtaking," she shot a sidelong glance at the Prince. "And of course, Your Highness's presence always elevates any occasion."
The Prince offered a polite smile. "You are too kind, Lady Soleil. The true splendor came from the joyous spirit of the guests. Duke Castillo, Lady Sierra, I trust you both found the evening to your liking as well?" He looked at the Duke, but his glance zipped over to me for a fraction of a second.
My father nodded enthusiastically. "A truly grand affair, Your Highness. And Sierra, I believe, found a moment of respite to recover from the excitement." He gave me a gentle, concerned look.
"Indeed, Papa," I confirmed. "The palace is truly magnificent, Your Highness. It was quite an experience." I kept my answer brief to avoid any opening for further questions.
"I am pleased to hear it," his gaze meeting mine for another quick flash. I forced myself to look down and focus intensely on the intricate pattern of the tablecloth.
Please don't be thinking about my bare feet. Please don't be thinking about my bare feet.
Their conversation resumed. I just listened, absorbing the rhythm of their formal talk and the way they exchanged pointless compliments. I needed to download all this information if I was going to survive this world intact. But my eyes kept drifting to the Prince.
Look, I'm not into him, okay? It's just that he was the major player in this whole novel, the one who could basically send my 'family' crashing and burning. So, knowing his quirks was pure self-preservation.
While the Duke was rambling on about the family estate, the Prince shifted his head just a little. His eyes flickered to me for a split second. It was so fast, so subtle, I was pretty sure I was hallucinating. I instantly snapped my attention back to the Duke's long, boring speech.
I am here to survive, not for secret eye contact or romantic leads.
After breakfast, Soleil suggested we check out the castle's famously huge library. Since I literally had nothing else on my calendar, I agreed. I wonder if they have some self-help books.
The library was insane. It was a dizzying maze of shelves that scraped the ceiling. Predictably, Soleil was way more interested in the shiny, gilded book spines and the fancy carvings on the fireplace mantelpiece than actually reading anything.
I quickly realized there were zero self-help books, so I gravitated toward the local history section. My fingers traced the worn leather of this ancient volume. I pulled it out and started reading. Before I knew it, I was completely lost in the detailed accounts of dead monarchs and forgotten treaties. Okay, not self-help, but definitely helping me get the lore right.
Suddenly, I heard a little clatter on the top shelf. I looked up. It was the Crown Prince. He was reaching for a book, and his eyes were already on mine. I hadn't even heard him enter the room.
He gave me the tiniest hint of a smile. It wasn't exactly friendly, but it wasn't cold either. It was more like, 'Yep, I remember your desperate, barefoot escape.'
I literally froze while clutching the rough book cover like a life raft. I managed a small nod back. My heart was thumping like I'd just run a marathon, and I was blaming it entirely on the surprise of seeing him.
Soleil was just a couple of aisles over, her excited voice floating in the background.
The Prince smoothly approached her. "Lady Soleil, have you found any particular volume to capture your interest today?"
Soleil immediately launched into this overly enthusiastic description of some sparkly, illuminated manuscript she'd found. The Prince listened patiently. Then, his eyes drifted back to me. "And you, Lady Sierra? I recall you had a particular interest in... literature." The word 'literature' lingered for a second longer than necessary. It was a subtle emphasis that only I would catch, connecting it to my less refined confession last night about the wine. It was a subtle dig, a private joke.
I met his gaze, trying to keep my face blank. "Indeed, Your Highness. I found myself drawn to the historical archives. The chronicles of the realm's founding are quite absorbing." I totally ignored his little joke, instead using the moment to flex my improving command of their formal language. I could practically feel him giving me an internal nod of approval, and it actually annoyed me.
I am not trying to get points with you, dude!
I made my excuses and peaced out pretty fast, pretending I was fascinated by the geography section. I needed space. I needed to reset. The Crown Prince was just too smart, too intense... too in my space.
Actually needing a serious break from the palace drama and the constant acting, I ended up in a smaller, very private garden at the very edge of the castle grounds. This wasn't the big, showy nightmare from last night, but a calm, cozy spot full of fragrant herbs and old rose bushes. I found a hidden stone bench.
Thank God, a little sanctuary! I can finally let myself breathe.
I was just thinking about how incredibly ambitious Soleil was, and how complicated my own situation was getting, when a shadow fell across the path. I looked up, and my internal alarm bells went on.
The crown prince again?!
He just paused, as if taking in the quiet garden. He didn't say anything or even acknowledge me immediately. He just sat down on the bench next to mine, leaving a respectable amount of space between us. Weirdly, the silence wasn't awkward.
I watched him out of the corner of my eye. Suddenly, I felt this reckless urge to push his buttons, to test the limits of his whole 'kindness is a choice' philosophy.
"Your Highness," I started. "I am beginning to suspect you are deliberately following me."
He raised an eyebrow, there was a hint of amusement in his green eyes. "Is that so, Lady Sierra? And what precisely gives you such a scandalous notion?"
"Well," I continued, a faint smile playing on my lips, "Last night, when I sought a moment of quiet, there you were. And today, in this very secluded corner, here you are again. One might begin to draw conclusions." My heart was doing a drum solo, but I made sure to keep my tone casual, almost like I was kidding. It was the only way to say something like that without outright causing a diplomatic incident.
The Prince chuckled. "My dear Lady Sierra," his eyes locked on mine, "I assure you, it is merely a matter of unfortunate coincidence for me, or perhaps fortunate for you, depending on your perspective." The subtle amusement was still on his face. "It simply happens that the places you find solace, be it the quiet of the grand garden at night, or this tranquil corner by day, are precisely the places where I often come to escape the clamor of court. Perhaps," he paused, his voice dropping to a whisper which is audible only to me, "our inclinations are not so dissimilar after all."
The words just hung there like a total trap. He didn't deny it, not really. He just twisted it, as if implying that we both liked quiet and escaping, a connection that absolutely shouldn't exist between us.
Just then, the archway rustled and that familiar sickly sweet voice cut through the quiet. "Sierra! Papa has been looking for you." Soleil popped out with the Duke right behind her. Her smile was picture-perfect, but her eyes were immediately scanning back and forth between me and the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness," my father greeted. "Forgive my interruption. I was concerned for my daughter."
"No imposition, Duke," the Prince replied and stood up with grace. "Lady Sierra and I were merely enjoying the serenity of the garden."
Soleil's smile tightened.
"Indeed. The castle gardens are quite lovely this time of day. Though I confess, I prefer the more... vibrant sections." She gave a little, tinkling laugh, a sound that grated on my nerves. "This corner is rather secluded, wouldn't you say, sister?"
I met her gaze evenly. "Seclusion can be a welcome balm, Soleil, especially after the exuberance of last night's ball. One needs a quiet space to collect one's thoughts." I made sure my tone was neutral to make sure there won't be any opening for her usual manipulations.
My father, ever the diplomat, smoothly jumped in. "You are right, my dear. A quiet moment is invaluable. Your Highness, are you finding the arrangements for the guests to your liking?"
"Perfectly so, Duke," he turned his full attention to my father. "Your presence, and that of your daughters, adds greatly to the festivities. We are honored to host you."
"The honor is all ours, Your Highness," my father responded with a warm smile, and seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents. "Soleil, my dear, did you have a chance to speak with Madame Hazel regarding the arrangements for tomorrow's hunt?"
Soleil's attention immediately shifted, her eyes brightening at the mention of the hunt. "I did, Papa! She assures me everything is in order. And His Highness has already promised to ride with me." She threw a possessive glance at the Prince.
"So I have," the Prince confirmed with a polite smile. However, his eyes flickered briefly to me before settling back on Soleil. It was a quick, almost unnoticeable movement, but I caught it.
"We must return to the castle, Papa," Soleil announced. "There are preparations for luncheon, and I believe my presence is required." She cast one last, sharp glance at me. It felt like a silent warning.
"Of course, my dear," my father agreed before turning to the Prince. "Your Highness, we shall take our leave. Perhaps we will see you at luncheon?"
"Most certainly, Duke. Until then." The Prince offered a polite bow before his eyes found mine for a lingering moment.
I simply curtsied before following my father and Soleil back towards the castle.